Prevent the codeine high of our youth

THE EDITOR, Sir:

I do hope the Government and the appropriate regulating authority of Jamaica are proactive and are aware of happenings on the international scene.

Recently, BBC, after some investigation, reported on the epidemic of the abuse of cough syrup in Nigeria and the devastating effects it is having on the youth of that country. Codeine-based cough syrups are widely available in Jamaica and steps need to be put in place to safeguard from inappropriate sale and distribution of same.

Only takes an inch

Unscrupulous persons only want an inch of an opportunity to capitalise. Our kids are exposed on social media, and as the saying goes, 'curiosity kills the cat'. Let it not be a case where now having the knowledge of the highs to be had from these medication, they start experimenting and get hooked. Already this year, we had a scare with the wet spliff stemming from improper use of embalming fluid.

Let us prevent another plague from stealing our already vulnerable youth.

M.R. Hector

St Elizabeth